THE HISTORY OF BOBBIN HEAD
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, made up of 13,500 hectares, was declared in 1894 as Australia’s second National Park. For this much of the credit must go Turramurra resident, Eccleston du Faur.
Eccleston’s vision included the opportunity for the public to access the beauty spots within the new National Park, with Bobbin Head being its centre piece. He understood if people were able to appreciate the Park’s unique natural beauty, they would also want to preserve it for the future.
By 1896, Shaw’s boatshed was constructed on the eastern side of Gibberagong Creek. The boatshed proved very popular but, could only be reached by a rough bush track from North Turramurra.
In 1901, a road was formed from North Turramurra down to Bobbin Head. The plan was to enable visitors to pass through the Chase as part of a round trip. In 1902, rock was blasted to build a causeway so that a small bridge could connect the Turramurra Road with the western shore, and then go onto the road being constructed, down the mountain, on that side. The Mt Colah road was completed in 1903. When the road was tested, by the first motor vehicle to make the descent from North Turramurra, it was described as “a triumph in zig-zag road making”.
There are many explanations for the name, “Bobbin Head”, with one of the popular ones being that the area took its names from a rock near Shaw’s boatshed, which resembled the face of a human. As the tide ebbed and flowed, the head appeared to “bob” in and out of the water.
Severe storms in Easter 1927, caused the destruction of the bridge. It was repaired by December 1928, and when it reopened a large picnic area had also been provided.
Extract courtesy of Hornsby Shire Historical Society, retrieved from Facebook site 28th February 2022. For more information about Bobbin Head refer to the following link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
Eccleston du Faur (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Eccelston du Faur, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Kuring-gai Chase Causeway (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Kuring-gai Chase Causeway, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Aerial Photograph of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Aerial Photograph, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Head and car parking (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Head and car parking, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Inn finishing construction (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Inn finishing construction, date unknown In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Inn finishing construction (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Inn finishing construction, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Inn with visitors (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Inn with visitors, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Head and Orchard Park (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Inn and Orchard Park date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Head - swimming (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Head - swimming, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Head - swimming (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Head - swimming, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bobbin Head and Orchard Park with swimming facilities (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bobbin Head and Orchard Park with swimming facilities date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Orchard Park (date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) .Orchard Park, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Colour Picture of Bobbin Head and Orchard Park with swimming facilities
(date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Colour Picture of Bobbin Head and Orchard Park with swimming facilities date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society
Bus using the roadway at Bobbin head
(date unknown)
Reference: Hornsby Shire Historical Society (17th February 2022) . Bus using the roadway Bobbin Head with swimming, date unknown. In Facebook Post. Retrieved 28th February 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=309698774526942&id=102452495251572
© Hornsby Shire Council Historical Society